The Humanitarian Association reported that a police investigation conducted against the Arcos de Valdevez Firefighters, following anonymous complaints related to state payments for forest fire combat, was directed at six unnamed firefighters and focused on operational matters.
The association, led by Germano Amorim, emphasized its commitment to transparency and clarified that the investigation did not target any board members. It involved the search of computer equipment at the Voluntary Firefighters’ Station of Arcos de Valdevez.
The police document indicated that expected documentation stored on computer systems—such as service schedules, personnel details, and payroll records—needed analysis in relation to the Rural Firefighting Special Device (DECIR), as well as payment records from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The police operation also targeted payroll records of the named firefighters, daily service activations, and DECIR schedules. The investigation aimed to access data from the station’s computer systems and the mobile phones of those implicated to collect relevant documents and communications, including social media exchanges on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The association’s leadership affirmed its belief in the firefighters’ innocence as the investigation continues, pending contrary evidence.
